Question Number: 24677

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/10/2011

Arthur of Sydney, Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24516

Hi,Does the following explanation apply if it is used against an opponent? Let's say,racial comments.

Hi Paulo
The restart is an IDFK from where the offence took place which in this case where the goalkeeper was located when he used offensive, insulting and abusive language to a match official.

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

It doesn't matter who the target is for these 'not previously specified' offences- the restart will always be an indirect free kick from where the offence occurred. That's true whether the target of the abusive remarks is a teammate, an opponent, a spectator, a match official, a team official, ground staff, or even just comments not directed at anybody in particular.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Arthur
This answer will apply in all situations where play is stopped to caution/dismiss a player for inappropriate language. It makes no difference who the language is directed to and it can be a team mate, spectator etc.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

An indirect free kick is the restart when (1) play is stopped to caution or sendoff a player; and (2) the misconduct occurs on the field of play. This is true whether the language was directed at an opponent, teammate, official, or anyone or anything else.

If the referee waits until the ball next goes out of play to caution or send off the keeper, the restart is based on the reason the ball went out of play.

There are two circumstances in which the restart will be a dropped ball.

(a) If the referee stops play and only warns the keeper (a foolish decision if the keeper made racial comments); and (b) If the keeper was off the field of play (but did not leave the field for the purpose of engaging in the misconduct) when the bad words were uttered.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 24809